MRSA Culture
Clinical Background:
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a bacterium that commonly colonises human skin and mucosa (e.g. inside the nose) without causing any problems. Although most healthy people are unaffected by S....
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a bacterium that commonly colonises human skin and mucosa (e.g. inside the nose) without causing any problems. Although most healthy people are unaffected by S. aureus, it can cause disease, particularly if there is an opportunity for the bacteria to enter the body, for example through broken skin or during a medical procedure. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of S. aureus that is primarily resistant to flucloxacillin and some other antibiotics. It is transmitted in the same way as other strains of S. aureus and can cause the same range of infections and serious illness. However, due to its resistance to the more commonly used antibiotics, every effort is made to prevent its spread. MRSA screening is performed on most patients who are admitted to hospital.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Microbiology
Microbiology
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Specimen Container Adult:
Sterile swab from each designated site in Transwab Amies charcoal
Sterile swab from each designated site in Transwab Amies charcoal
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Sterile swab from each designated site in Transwab Amies charcoal
Sterile swab from each designated site in Transwab Amies charcoal
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Minimum Volume Adult:
Generally 3 or more samples
Generally 3 or more samples
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
Generally 3 or more samples
Generally 3 or more samples
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Special Requirement:
Label each swab accordingly ie nose, throat, groin or wound site. Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
Label each swab accordingly ie nose, throat, groin or wound site. Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Sample Stability:
Stable for up to 24 hours
Stable for up to 24 hours
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Transport Requirements:
Standard
Standard
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Add On Test:
N/A
N/A
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Quality Assurance:
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
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Interpretation:
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
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Reference Ranges:
N/A
N/A
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Factors Affecting Result:
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Referenced Documents:
Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 29)
Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 29)